It’s the weekend in Hokkaido, my plan today was to travel inside Sapporo using their subway lines. The weather was still cold, wet and chilly with the winds blowing, the sky was overcast and it did posed some challenges when I was taking photographs in Sapporo. I boarded the morning local train from JR Otaru to Sapporo and began my Day 2 of my Hokkaido photography adventure.

In Sapporo, taking the subway is an excellent form of public transport to explore different parts of Sapporo. There is a one day unlimited rides subway pass known as Donichika ticket (520 yen is the discounted price for Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays) can be purchased from the subway station ticketing machine. I was initially worried that I might faced some challenges buying the Donichika ticket from the ticketing machine, however, it wasn’t too difficult once I found the English language segment on the ticketing machine!

The subway system in Sapporo is not too complicated as compared to Tokyo! It’s very easy to navigate and ride, with only two stations to do your transfer between Subway Tozai Line, Subway Namboku Line and Subway Toho Line at Sapporo and Odori subway stations. I took the Subway Namboku Line and my first stop on my Day 2 adventure is Nakajima Park!

Nakajima Park

Once I came out of the Nakajima Koen Subway Station, the sceneries immediately dawned upon me on why Nakajima Park is a popular tourist destination for visitors and locals in Sapporo. The autumn colours were bright and colourful in the midst of an overcast sky, highlighted by the reflections on the pond. While there were more places to explore at Nakajima Park, I strolled along the Shobu Pond, making a loop to the point where I first started.

I came to view the autumn colours and the bright autumn colours of Nakajima Park blew me away. There were many different colours canopies of different trees around the Shobu Pond. Both the locals and tourists were enjoying themselves, reading books, drawing/painting, strolling, viewing and taking photographs. Nakajima Park is so beautiful in autumn, I would love to view it during spring, summer and winter seasons too if I have the opportunity again!

While the weather was chilly and cold winds blowing, I enjoyed myself thoroughly at Nakajima Park. I made the best out of the overcast weather, spotting and taking photographs of the different types of colourful leaves, tree canopies and fallen leaves on the ground, like a golden field.

Lunch time in Sapporo

I took the subway back to Sapporo for a lunch. Lucky for me, I was able to find a shop inside one of the underground shopping mall nearby JR Sapporo that has an easy to use and order machine with English language to buy my Japanese meal! Upon choosing my meal, payment was made and I was issued a small ticket (just like the train ticket). I entered into the shop, found myself a seat, sat down and a friendly staff soon came over to take my ticket, instructed the kitchen on my food order. They were pretty fast with their cooking and in a few minutes, I had a hot and delicious pork katsudon!

Hokkaido Shrine

With a nice and delicious lunch inside me, it’s time to continue my photography adventure, next destination was Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine. I took the Subway Namboku Line, from Sapporo Subway Station to Odori Subway Station, making a transfer to Subway Tozai Line to Maruyama Koen Station. Looking for the signboard to the correct exit to Maruyama Park, I started walking towards Maruyama Park.

The weather in the early afternoon changed, started raining with chilly winds blowing. My initial plan was to climb Mt Maruyama, visit Maruyama Park and Hokkaido Shrine. Observing the weather and time availability during that afternoon, I made a decision not to climb Mt Maruyama and chose to visit Hokkaido Shrine and Maruyama Park.

Trekking my way into Hokkaido Shrine, it’s like a journey into a mystery forest with an aura of peace and tranquility covered with magical powers. The tall trees that towered into the sky, the lush greenery and colourful autumn canopies.

Soon after, I found myself arriving at the grand Hokkaido Shrine. This was mesmerising, I haven’t visited a shrine/temple in Japan for quite some time (last visit was to Senso-ji Temple and Meiji Jingu Shrine in Tokyo during 2004). Prior to entering the Hokkaido Shrine compound, I went to the Temizuya, cleanse and purify myself before entering.

At the main entrance, I was awed by the Hokkaido Shrine presence and stature. I bowed in respect and took a step inside. This was a big shrine with an open compound, surrounded by tall trees. I walked towards the main hall, offered my prayer in silence with my heart and soul speaking to the deities of Hokkaido Shrine, seeking peace and blessings for the things that happened to me in the earlier part of 2016 and to seek blessings for my future endeavours.

Before departing from Hokkaido Shrine, I went to look for an amulet, a particular amulet – Prosperity in Business. However, I wasn’t fated to find that particular amulet (probably sold out) and I searched for another amulet. There was a unique amulet that caught my eye, without much hesitation, I bought it. That amulet is “Victory” amulet. This is an omen, a blessing from Hokkaido Shrine, Victory in my future endeavours/challenges/obstacles that I will be facing.

Maruyama Park

Upon leaving Hokkaido Shrine, I trekked down and back into Maruyama Park. While the weather conditions were not getting any better and sky turning dark soon, I still managed to discover gorgeous and quiet spots in Maruyama Park, the benches inside the park underneath the canopies of the tall trees.

How I wished the weather that day wasn’t that cold, wet and chilly winds blowing that afternoon, I would love to sit on a bench, view the autumn colours above me and immerse into the colourful autumn season.

The weather wasn’t getting any better and I made my way back to Maruyama Koen Subway Station for my subway train ride back to Sapporo Subway Station, thereafter, getting on the rapid express JR train from Hokkaido back to Otaru.

Arriving back at JR Otaru station, it was raining and the winds were chilly. I decided that I would go back to my hotel and rest for the night, no more night photography exploration for Saturday 22^nd October. I was looking forward to the heartwarming and hot bowl of Yonaki Soba again, the night singing noodles always cheer me up on a chilly autumn night. This was then followed by a visit to the onsen, it’s a must for me, very relaxing and soothing for me after that.

A gloomy Saturday, wet, cold and chilly day overall. Nevertheless, filled with fun, inner fulfilment and enjoyment.

Hokkaido Autumn 2016

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